November 2, 2018

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has endorsed legislation that would ban most abortions in the U.S., according to the bill’s lead sponsor.

The Heartbeat Protection Act would require abortionists to first test whether a fetal heartbeat can be detected, and then forbid committing an abortion if the answer is “yes.” It allows an exception only for life-threatening physical circumstances (expressly rejecting exceptions for “psychological or emotional” health). Physicians who break the law would face up to five years in prison and/or a fine; women seeking abortions would not be punished.